Door closer adjustment



March 26, 1963 s. F. ROLPH DOOR CLOSER ADJUSTMENT 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed D96. 6, 1955 INVENTOR. \s. 64%;4/ WM ATToR/v/f) March 26, 1963 s. F. ROLPH 3,082,471

DOOR CLOSER ADJUSTMENT Filed Dec. 6, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z4 Z5 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY March 26, 1963 s. F. ROLPH DOOR CLOSER ADJUSTMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 55 Filed Dec. 6, 1955 INVENTOR. \J'clMue F7 4 A TTO/PNE Y i DQOR QLOSER DJUSTIVZENT U Saiim'ei RlRolph; Bjerrien Springs, lviich;,"assignor to The Yaieftit'lofne Manufaetiiring Company, Stamford, Conn.,a' corporation of Connecticut Fiied Dee; 6,1955, Ser. No. 551,469 4 Claims.- "(CL 16-,49)

--This applicationis a continuationin-part oi myearlier application, SeriaLNo. 503,051, filed April 22, 1955, now b3l'ld0nd'- i,;f: 2"." Iw. k x

-My inventionrelatesiotzthe adjustment of the pivot throughwhichnan; armtof adoor closer i s;;piv otedv to the door frame. Those skilled .in-ithe :artv-will appreciate that adjustments of :this- 1 type are ,-utiliz ed to .fifi sfihan adjustment in the action; of the door.ctoser.-.,;By adjusting the pivot, ;the .piv ot .-point :ofthe arm is :ehangfi qrelatively to .the'door: frame; andrthiszincreases .or; decreases, the movement that-;-takes-.-plaee in :the closerrnechanism as the. door moves betweentopen Land-closed positions,- This is a desirable arrangement because it enables the,,door closer to be adjusted through rather simple-means, and without-the necessity-of, making -.an=;adjustrnent in the closer-: mechanism itse1f.-:.-i I have. now, conceived .a door closer pivot adjustment ,that'. isiextremeiy novei,: and that is a .veryconsiderableimprovement;over the; prior structuresotthe particulairlclass 1:: an importantfeatureiof mysinvention l utilize with the pivot of-the icloser's-a'rm amearingthat slides r lative- 1y tothe doorframe.- Through the'sliding Qfihisbearing, the pivotpoirihof the .arm can;move=.to different-positions On the door' frame,i and-:1. maintain. the: pivot' point in the position to-lwhich'i it moves through means thatcoact with thei-bearing.-.- As a more. detailed part of this feature, I equip the arm of thei door closer with a pivot pin that is -hel l-in'position -through thfibtlfllfing, but that can move inalinear slot-through sliding of the bearing on thedoorframe. Inxonegformrofmy invention, I utilize a clip forholding the pivot pin in adjusted position, with'the pinadjust-able in the slot through-release of the CliUJ" "As afurther feature, I contribute means whereby the 'pivot-pin' can actas a-=holding device for holding the door in'anopen-position. For the particular purpose, l'-arrange thepivot pin inn/edging relation to its bearing-preferably through screw threads, with parts of the pin and bearing at opposed sides of .a. part on the door frame. When the arm of the door closer rotates incidental to opening movement of the door, the pivot pinanrl bearing-wedge relatively to one another, thus holdine the door open For adjusting-the holding-position-of-the closer "armgfl prefer to'utilize a splinedccnnenion between the'arni'and pivot pin.

"I'have thus outlined rather broadly the more-important features 'of rn y'in'ventionin order that-the detailed description thereofthzit foli'ows maybe' better understood, and'in order that my contribution to the'artma y be better appr eeiate'd; QThere arefof cotirse; additional features of rny'invention thatwill'bedescribed hereinafter and which will fornrthe subject'of the'ci aims appendedhere to; Those skilled in the art will appreciate that'the'conception bdwhich my'dis'ciosure' is based may readily be utilized as a basis forthe designing of other structures for carrying out'the several purposes of'rny inventiorii it justment. a

FlG. 2 is a view onthe line 2--2 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section on the line 3-3 of Fi G.2. V ,i I v EIGA is a view on the line HofFIG. 3. v

FIG. 5,,is similar to FIG. 4 but shows-the pivot .adjusted to a dilferent position. a K HG. 6 is,.a erosssection on the line 6 6 of FIG. 3. 7,is like FIG. 6 but shows the pivot .in wedging po t on wh r bv t h d: th d to n:

I FLG. .8 shows anothertformof my .novel .pi\-' ot adjustment,"

1 16.;- 9,is,;a section on the line;,9 9' in- FIG;-8. o d h y invention m y b i u ly app a e I show in REG, 1 a dooncloser 10 mounted upon a door 11 that moves betweenopen and closedgpositions Elatively to a door. frame 12.' Thisgdoorcloser 10=is .ofa lgnown type having a,,f0re army-13-thatirotates on, the .loor;frarne 12, during thee-movementsoft thedoor and that is pivotedto an arm securedon a shaft, 17,0f thedoor closen; Those skilledin the art-will appreciate that the pointat-which the arm v13 is pivoted tothe door frame lziisrather-critieal, and. that a change in the positionof the pivot point will cause a' change.intheaetionof the door closen. In-closcrs of this type, therefore,. an adjust- ".ent of they pivot ,can be utilized for adjusting-thetcloser. I prefer to utilize in my extremely novel. pivot structure a bracket plate 14 that is held imposition on the door frame 12 by screws 15, so that the bracket. plate 14 is in effect an integral part of the, frames :The bracket plate 14 that I illustrate actually forms a housing for-the door closer shaft, FIGS. 2 and 3, when the door is in closed position, this plate 14 being formed on three sides with flanges 16 and set into a recess in the, door frame 12, as shown in FIG. 1. 4

in the form ofmy invention that I show in FIGS. 1 to 7, I pivot the closer arm 13 to the bracket plate 14 through a pivot pin 18 that normally rotates with the arm 13, but that can be adjusted angularly relatively to the arm. For the partieularipurpose, I form the pivot pin 18 near its lower end with a circular splined portion 19 that is interlocked with a corresponding splined portion 21 on the closer arm- 13. I shall refer later. to this adjustment between pin. 18 and arm 13, and it is important here to know merely that the pivot pin 18 rotates with the arm 13. 1 v I e As best seen in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, I form the bracket plate 14 with a linear slot-21 for the pivot pin 18.- Further, 1 form the-upper portion of .the pivot pin 18 with a screw thread whereby'l assemble a nut 2-2 to the pin, FIGS. 3, 6, and 7. 'This-nut 22 acts as'a bearing on which the pivot pin 13 rotates, and is adapted to slide on the surfaceof thebracket plate 14 with pivot pin 18 moving linearly in theslot 21. Upon the bracket plate 14 I weld an inverted channel 23, this channel being aligned relatively to the slot 21 and arranged with its opposed sides juxtaposed to the nut 22. Thereby the nut 22 cannot rotate in any position to which it slides on plate 14, and camp; become accidentally disassembled from the pivot pm I equip the bracket plate 14 at its lower side with an offset clip 24, this clip having at one end an opening whereby the clip fits over a lower end portion 25 on pivot p n 18. To attach the clip 24 to bracket plate 14, I uti lize a screw 26. This screw 26 is so positioned as to hold the clip 24 relatively to pivot pin 18 when the pin is in elther of two positions in the slot 21, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. It will be seen that, by loosening the screw 26 to release clip 24 relatively to the lower end 25 of pivot pin 18, the pin can be adjusted linearly in slot 21 relatively to the door frame, and the pin can then be secured in its adjusted positionthrough the clip 24 and screw 26 In either position of pivot pin 18, the clip 24 acts together with the sliding bearing 22 to hold the pivot pin 18 in predetermined relation to the door frame. Through this extremely no'vel construction, I am able to hold the pivot point of the closer arin 13 very securely at a fixed point on the door frame, yet I can very readily adjust the pivot point when this is desired. It may be observed here that the clip 24 is juxtaposed to the splined portion 20 of closer arm 13, and the clip therefore acts further to hold the arm assembled to the splined part 19 on the pivot pin.

shall now describe the action that takes place when I utilize my extremely novel pivot as a door holding device. To understand this feature of my invention, it should be realized that the screw threads on the pivot pin 18 can cause the pin and nut 22 to wedge relatively to one another during the rotation of the closer arm 13. Of course, when the pin 18 and nut are relatively loose, as in FIG. 6, the pivot pin can rotate freely with the closer arm 13, and the door closer will control the door movements in a normal fashion. However, when the arm 13 rotates the pivot pin 18 to a predetermined position, the nut 22 and s'plined portion 19 of the pivot pin are drawn toward one another and against opposed sides of the bracket plate 14, as in FIG. 7, whereby the nut, pin, and bracket are wedged together. It will be understood, of course, that the channel 23 holds the nut 22 so that it does not rotate with the pivot pin 18. Obviously, the wedging action imposes a very substantial restraint upon further rotation of arm 13 in either direction, so that the door will be held in a corresponding position.

In order to adjust the position in which the door is held, I utilize the splined connections 19, 20 between the arm 13 and pivot pin 18. It is necessary merely to loosen the screw 26 and to move the clip 24 away from the closer arm 13 so that the splined portions 19, 20 can be slipped apart. The arm 13 can then be adjusted angularly and reassembled in desired relation to the pivot pin. Through this procedure, the wedging action can be made to take place at any desired point in the movement of the door. By this procedure, also, the wed-ging action can be eliminated should the holding effect not be desired. The clip 24 when reassembled will naturally prevent a change of adjustment between the arm 13 and pin 18.

I shall now describe the form of my novel pivot structure that I show in FIGS. 8 and 9 of the drawings. I utilize in that form of my invention a bracket plate 30 that is substantially like the bracket plate 14 I have already described. Thus, the plate 30 has flanges 31 on three sides, and is formedwith a linear pivot pin slot 32. Also, bracket plate 30 has an inverted channel 33 welded to its upper surface in aligned relation to the slot 32.

For pivoting the closer arm 13 to the bracket plate 30, I utilize a pivot pin 34, FIG. 9, that is positioned for linear movement in the bracket plate slot 32, and that has a shoulder 35 in opposed relation to the lower surface of the plate at the sides of the slot 32. I form the upper portion of pivot pin 34 with a screw thread whereby I assemble the pin to a nut 36 that lies against the upper surface of the bracket plate 30. With the pivot pin 34 assembled in this way, the nut 36 acts as a bearing that slides on the plate 38 as the pin moves in slot 32. The inverted channel 33 will guide the nut 36 during its sliding movement, and also will hold the nut against rotation on the plate 30. Further, I form the pivot pin 34 at its lower end with a head 37 that holds the closer arm 13 assembled on the pin 34, but with sulficient clearance to enable the arm 13 to rotate freely relatively to the pin.

It will thus be seen that I can very easily adjust the pivot point of the closer arm 13 through movement of the pivot pin 34 in slot 32. Nevertheless, by rotating the pin 34 relatively to its bearing 36, it is possible to clamp the bracket plate 30 between the bearing 36 and the shoulder 35 on the pin, thereby securing the pin 34 in a fixed position in slot 32. Through the particular construction, I can place the pivot point of the closer arm at any point along the slot 32 of the bracket plate whereby to adjust the door closer and I can then secure the pivot point against a change of adjustment.

Through the extremely novel structure that I have described, I am able to adjust very easily and effectively the pivot point of a door closer relatively to the door frame. I accomplish this adjustment through a sliding movement of the pivot on the door frame, and I do not require that the closer arm or pivot be disassembled for that purpose. I hold the pivot securely in adjusted position through extremely simple means, that need merely be loosened to permit adjustment of the pivot. In addition, I am able so to construct my novel pivot structure that it will act as a door holding device. I believe, therefore, that those skilled in the art will realize that I have contributed a novel door closer pivot of very considerable value.

I now claim:

1. In a door closer of the class described having an arm that pivots relatively to the door frame as the door moves between open and closed positions, a pivot pm about the aXis of which the arm rotates, a plate secured to the door frame and formed with a linear slot through which said pivot pin extends, a bearing sliding on the upper surface of said plate and mounting the pivot pin for movement to different positions in said slot, an inverted channel on the upper surface of said plate securing said bearing for sliding relatively to said plate, and means holding the bearing in the positions to which it moves the pivot pin in the slot whereby said arm pivots at different points on the door frame.

2. In a door closer of the class described having an am that pivots relatively to a door frame as the door move: between open and closed positions, a pivot pin about th axis of which the closer ar-m rotates, a plate secured to th door frame and formed with an opening larger than sait pivot pin and through which said pin extends, a bearin; on the upper surface of said plate mounting the pivot pit upon the plate, an inverted channel on the upper surfac of said plate securing said bearing for sliding relativel to said plate to support the pivot pin in different position in the plate opening, and means holding the bearing ll the various positions wherein it supports the pivot pin i: the opening whereby said arm pivots about the axis 0 said pin at different points on the door frame.

3. In a door closer of the class described having an arr that pivots relatively to a door frame as the door move between open and closed positions, a pivot pin about th axis of which the closer arm rot-ates, a plate secured t the door frame, a bearing adapted to move on said plat and mounting the pivot pin upon the plate, a channel St cured to said plate, parts of said channel extending i juxtaposed relation to the bearing and securing the heal ing for sliding to support the pivot pin in different pos tions relatively to said plate, and means holding the bear ing and pin in the various positions in which the bearin supports the pin relatively to the plate whereby the close arm pivots about the axis of said pin at different points 0 the door frame.

4. In a door closer of the class described having an art that pivots relatively to a door frame as the door moves between open and closed positions, a plate secured to the door frame and having a slot therein, a bearing member engaging one side of said plate over said slot, a pivot pin extending through said slot and screw-threaded into said bearing member, said arm being connected to said pin on the other side of said plate for rotation about the axis of said pin, said pin and bearing member being movable along said slot to adjustably position said axis, means for securing said pin and bearing member in 5 in all positions of the latter along said slot.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Lasier Nov. 12, 1940 Sheldrick Sept. 5, 1944 

4. IN A DOOR CLOSER OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED HAVING AN ARM THAT PIVOTS RELATIVELY TO A DOOR FRAME AS THE DOOR MOVES BETWEEN OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS, A PLATE SECURED TO THE DOOR FRAME AND HAVING A SLOT THEREIN, A BEARING MEMBER ENGAGING ONE SIDE OF SAID PLATE OVER SAID SLOT, A PIVOT PIN EXTENDING THROUGH SAID SLOT AND SCREW-THREADED INTO SAID BEARING MEMBER, SAID ARM BEING CONNECTED TO SAID PIN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF SAID PLATE FOR ROTATION ABOUT THE AXIS OF SAID PIN, SAID PIN AND BEARING MEMBER BEING MOVABLE ALONG SAID SLOT TO ADJUSTABLY POSITION SAID AXIS, MEANS FOR SECURING SAID PIN AND BEARING MEMBER IN ADJUSTED POSITION, AND MEANS FOR PREVENTING ROTATION OF SAID BEARING MEMBER COMPRISING A CHANNEL MEMBER OVER- 